In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the newly mandated year-long course in Western Humanities, which aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of influential literary and philosophical works from antiquity to the modern era. The course is divided into two semesters, with the first focusing on texts from 1,000 BC to 1450 AD, featuring readings from renowned figures such as Plato, Augustine, and Dante, alongside essential texts like the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.
The second semester shifts to later works, including those by Martin Luther, Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Jane Austen, while also incorporating significant religious literature from both Catholic and Protestant traditions. The curriculum emphasizes key areas of coverage, such as the development of parliamentary democracy in Britain and the study of Homeric epics.
Notably, the Model General Education Act mandates the inclusion of both the Old and New Testaments in the curriculum, highlighting the Bible's critical role in shaping Western civilization. Officials clarified that the course is not intended as religious instruction but rather as a means to explore the Bible's cultural and historical significance. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to enriching students' understanding of the foundational texts that have influenced Western thought and culture.